U.S radio industry’s take on the Kyle & Jackie O Show collapse

It’s smashed the Australian radio industry landscape with the force of a volcanic eruption, with the aftershocks still being felt far and wide.

Globally, news of the Kyle & Jackie O Show collapse continues to gain traction, with media outlets including the BBC reporting it not just as the end of an Australian radio era, but a landmark moment for broadcasting, full stop.

In the U.S, the industry reaction to the show’s demise has been particularly fascinating.

Prominent U.S radio industry consultant Sean Ross – author of respected industry newsletter Ross on Radio – has watched the story unfold with interest.

As Ross tells Radio Today, “There is a small, savvy contingent of U.S radio people who follow international radio and understand the magnitude of this story.”

“The notion of any current Breakfast show being that edgy or making that much money is astounding to the broadcasters who are aware of them, particularly because there hasn’t been a consumer press superstar show of the same magnitude since Howard Stern. The closest we’ve seen is the Seattle-based married duo Brooke & Jubel, who split into two shows a few years ago just as they were becoming a force in national syndication.”

“Of the U.S. broadcasters aware of them, I think there’s a greater tendency to view this as a stunt rather than a real breakup. Some of that is because we live with the ‘Will Howard Stern re-sign or won’t he?’ questions every few years, including last fall.”

“I’ve always admired Australian radio, not just because of its celebrity presenters, but also because of its viable digital radio tier and commitment to contesting and promotion. I’m sorry to see a major show break up, in part because I don’t know if all of that listening will make its way to another Sydney show. While their audience isn’t the one that will just stream music in the morning, there isn’t necessarily a direct replacement for every listener and some could gravitate to morning TV, for instance.”

Long time rock radio PD Alan Sells still feels the collapse of the Kyle & Jackie O Show is a publicity stunt.

Sells, who was part of M105 Cleveland – the first U.S station to ID as Classic Rock in the 80s – remembers when the Kyle & Jackie O Show was first networked into Melbourne in 2024, and how it played out.

“I was in Amsterdam six months later and two people from Melbourne were sitting next to us on the canal,” says Sells. “When I asked them about the morning show, (their reaction was) instant.”

“It wasn’t like an anti-Howard Stern Show type of thing. It was more like because it works in Sydney doesn’t mean it will work in Melbourne.”

“I honestly do not believe either of these individuals have a future without the other. I still believe it’s a publicity stunt and only time will tell.”

“It reminded me of a Gary Dee stunt from WHK in Cleveland over 40 years ago,” says Sells.

“This could be a good way for their company to get out of their $10 million a year contract.”

US podcaster and radio broadcaster Ryan Hoppe is well familiar with the juggernaut that was Kyle & Jackie O.

“I have listened to every show since 2013, and it feels like when Opie & Anthony broke up,” Hoppe says. “They are really edgy and had a huge influence on me … HUGE.”

“But each day that Kyle would say crazy things and Jackie would try to change the subject, I knew it wouldn’t last forever. I just didn’t think (it would happen) this quickly.

“Also, it shows how great Howard Stern and Robin Quivers are that they kept the machine going for 45 years.”

Hoppe adds “I’m very sad about them ending. I’m still hoping they can reconcile.”

Images: Ross on Radio, X, LinkedIn, Facebook and supplied